The Betnely GTC Continental convertible is powered by a more powerful 6.0 litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine, mated to a new QuickShift transmission for faster gear changes.

The 2011 International Automobile Exhibition in Frankfurt will host the debut of the second generation Bentley Continental GTC convertible.

The new Bentley Continental GTC builds on the previous version of the cabriolet which premiered in 2006, seeing improvements in most aspects.

The exterior design of the new Bentley Continental GTC is more contemporary and gives a muscular impression. The front wings are manufactured from aluminium and need to welds. Twenty inch wheels are fitted as standard, and fro the first time for the GTC are three optional 21 inch wheel styles.

The four seater cabin is more spacious and luxurious than the previous model, featuring soft-touch leather hides, wood veneers, cool-touch metals and deep-pile carpets. The leather is available in 17 colours, with six colour split combinations, alongsidea range of seven veneers.

Legroom has been improved, and new storage solutions have been added, as well as touch screen infotainment, automatic seat-belt presenters and a Bentley-designed Neck Warmer for those cold days with the roof down.

The front and rear track is now wider, combined with sharper steering and retuned suspension allows for an improvement in the driving experience. The torque bias of the all-wheel drive system is now 40:60, as apposed to the original Bentley Continental GTC's 50:50. This helps to minimise understeer when cornering hard.

The Bentley GTC Continental convertible is powered by a more powerful 6.0 litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine, mated to a new QuickShift transmission for faster gear changes. Power output is now 575PS, up from 560PS, and torque is increased to 700Nm, an additional 50Nm on the version it replaces.

Wolfgang Durheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors said: "The GTC has always been the most emotional model in the Continental range and a showcase for Bentley design. With its tailored soft top, the GTC is a pure British convertible true to those classic Bentleys of the past. However, the technology, performance and overall design excellence invested in this model means that we are now writing a new chapter for the Bentley convertible driver."

Available to order now, the new Bentley Continental GTC will see first deliveries in late 2011.